Printing apparatus, print control method, and program product

ABSTRACT

To improve usability by prevent a print output which is not desired by the user from being outputted, for example, whether an image is outputted when a deterioration state exceeds a specific deterioration degree or not is set by an operation panel  1012 , and when raster image information which is deteriorated and formed in accordance with inputted print information is printed, the printing is stopped in accordance with the setting.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The invention relates to control of a printing apparatus forreceiving print information from a plurality of computers on a networkvia a predetermined interface and processing it.

[0003] 2. Related Background Art

[0004] In recent years, an information processing system in which acolor printing apparatus and a plurality of host computers cancommunicate with each other has been generalized and widely used. Insuch a situation, many electronic documents are formed on theinformation processing system, there is a tendency such that an outputrequest to the color printing apparatus is increasing, and a high-speedcolor printing apparatus of a low cost is demanded.

[0005] Hitherto, in a print system for interpreting a page descriptionlanguage (PDL) transmitted from a host computer or a print server andforming a raster image, generally, the PDL is interpreted, thereafter, adisplay list (DL) as an intermediate language is formed, and rasterimage conversion (rendering) from the DL is executed.

[0006] At this time, since a size of the PDL data is not limited, thereis a case where a size of DL which is formed from the PDL data is verylarge. If the DL is complicated and its size increases, a work areawhich is used by a renderer for rendering the DL also increases.

[0007] However, since an amount of memory which is provided in theprinting apparatus is limited and there is a limitation of costs, inmany cases, there is not an enough amount to store the DL.

[0008] Therefore, a size of area to store the DL and a size of work areawhich can be used by the renderer are limited and there is a limitationsuch that a DL of a predetermined size or more cannot be processed.

[0009] A process called a fallback is executed to avoid such alimitation. According to the fallback, when the size of DL exceeds thepredetermined size or if it is known that the size of work area forprocessing the DL exceeds the predetermined size, the DL formed once sofar is rendered so as to form a raster image and the DL formed so far iscleared once.

[0010] The raster image is added again as a background image of adrawing area to a part of the DL.

[0011] Ordinarily, since the background image is compressed, a size ofDL which is added is smaller than the original DL size. Therefore, byforming the residual DL into the empty area, the DL of a large size canbe processed in the limited memory space. Since the work area of therenderer is also cleared when the rendering at the time of the fallbackis finished, the size limitation of the work area can be also avoidedand the printing apparatus of a low cost can be provided.

[0012] Although the raster image formed in the step of executing thefallback process as mentioned above is compressed and added to a DLlist, the compression image which is formed at this time has to be alsoenclosed in the predetermined size.

[0013] Particularly, since the size of raster image which is formed uponrendering in the case of a color image is very large and, in many cases,the compression image cannot be enclosed in the predetermined size inthe case of reversible compression, irreversible compression isordinarily used.

[0014] However, if the irreversible compression is used, a compressedimage deteriorates. As a method of minimizing such image deterioration,while sequentially changing a compression ratio from a low compressionratio to a high compression ratio (from the compression of small imagedeterioration to the compression of large image deterioration), therendered image is compressed a plurality of number of times until thecompression image is enclosed into the predetermined size. By using sucha method, the image is compressed at the minimum compression ratio atwhich it is enclosed into the predetermined size and the imagedeterioration is minimized. For example, refer to JP-A-H7-137355 (U.S.Pat. No. 5,835,122).

[0015] However, the compression ratio of the raster image depends on thecontents of the raster image and there is a case where the compressionratio fairly deteriorates even in the compression in which imagedeterioration of a similar degree occurs.

[0016] In the case of such a raster image, the compression which causeslarge image deterioration has to be executed in order to enclose theimage into the predetermined size. Picture quality of the compressionimage deteriorates fairly. In many cases, there is a problem such that aprint output including such a deteriorated compression image isdifferent from a desired output of the user.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0017] The invention is made to solve the above problems and it is anobject of the invention to provide a printing apparatus for compressingraster image information which is formed in accordance with printinformation which is inputted and holding it into an internal memory,wherein a threshold value to discriminate a deterioration state of theraster image information upon compression is designated and whether theimage deterioration state of the compressed raster image informationexceeds the designated threshold value or not is discriminated, therebyenabling the user to select whether a print output including thecompression image of large image deterioration as mentioned above isprinted or not, so that the print output which is not desired by theuser is not outputted and usability can be improved.

[0018] A printing apparatus of the invention to accomplish the aboveobject comprises: a setting unit for setting whether printing isexecuted in excess of a specific deterioration degree or not; and aprinting unit for executing the printing on the basis of printinformation in accordance with the setting by the setting unit when animage is deteriorated and printed on the basis of the print information.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019]FIG. 1 is a cross sectional view showing a construction of anoutput apparatus to which the invention can be applied;

[0020]FIG. 2 is a block diagram for explaining a construction of aprinter control system in a printing apparatus according to the firstembodiment of the invention;

[0021]FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining an example of a compressionimage output selecting display screen of a printer use setting which isdisplayed on a liquid crystal display panel unit of an operation unitshown in FIG. 2;

[0022]FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of a first dataprocessing procedure in the printing apparatus according to theinvention;

[0023]FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of a second dataprocessing procedure in the printing apparatus according to theinvention;

[0024]FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of a third dataprocessing procedure in the printing apparatus according to theinvention;

[0025]FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a compression imageoutput selecting display screen of a printer use setting in a printingapparatus showing the fourth embodiment of the invention; and

[0026]FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining a memory map of a storingmedium for storing various data processing programs which can be readout by the printing apparatus according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0027] Prior to explaining a construction of an embodiment, aconstruction of a laser beam printer which is suitable for applying theembodiment thereto will be described with reference to FIG. 1.Naturally, a printer to which the embodiment is applied is not limitedto the laser beam printer but it can be also embodied to a printer (inkjet printer) of another print system.

[0028]FIG. 1 is a cross sectional view showing a construction of anoutput apparatus to which the invention can be applied and shows a caseof, for example, a laser beam printer (LBP).

[0029] In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1000 denotes an LBP main body (LBP)which inputs and stores print information (character codes, etc.), forminformation, a macro command, and the like which are supplied from anexternal information source such as a host computer or the likeconnected to an outside via a network or connected by a directinterface, forms a corresponding character pattern, form pattern, or thelike in accordance with those information, and forms an image ontorecording paper or the like as a recording medium.

[0030] Reference numeral 1012 denotes an operation panel on whichswitches for operation, an LED display, and the like are arranged.Reference numeral 1001 denotes a printer control unit for controllingthe whole LBP 1000 and analyzing character information or the like whichis supplied from an external network or the like.

[0031] The printer control unit 1001 converts mainly the characterinformation into a video signal of the corresponding character patternand outputs it to a laser driver 1002. The laser driver 1002 is acircuit for driving a semiconductor laser 1003 and switching an on/offoperation of a laser beam 1004 which is emitted from the semiconductorlaser 1003 in accordance with the inputted video signal. The laser beam1004 is swung to the right and left by a rotary polygon mirror 1005 andscans and exposes an electrostatic drum 1006.

[0032] Thus, an electrostatic latent image of the character pattern isformed on the electrostatic drum 1006. The latent image is developed bya developing unit 1007 arranged around the electrostatic drum 1006 and,thereafter, transferred onto the recording paper.

[0033] A cut sheet is used as recording paper. The cut sheet recordingpaper is enclosed in a sheet cassette 1008 attached to the LBP 1000, fedinto the apparatus by a paper feed roller 1009, a conveying roller 1010,and a conveying roller 1011, and supplied to the electrostatic drum1006.

First Embodiment

[0034]FIG. 2 is a block diagram for explaining a construction of aprinter control system in a printing apparatus according to the firstembodiment of the invention. In FIG. 2, the same component elements asthose in FIG. 1 are designated by the same reference numerals.

[0035] In the printer control unit 1001 shown in FIG. 2, a main-CPU 1 isa CPU of the printer. The main-CPU 1 integratedly controls accesses tovarious devices which are connected to a system bus 5 on the basis of acontrol program stored in a ROM 4, a control program stored in anexternal memory 7, or the like and outputs an image signal as outputinformation to a printing unit (printer engine) 9 connected via aprinting unit interface 8.

[0036] The control programs for the main-CPU 1 as shown in flowcharts ofFIGS. 4 and 5, which will be explained hereinlater and data necessaryfor control of the LBP 1000 are stored in the ROM 4. The main-CPU 1 cancommunicate with an external apparatus such as a host computer or thelike connected to an external network 3000 via an I/O 11.

[0037] Although the main-CPU 1 communicates with the host computer viathe external network, naturally, it is possible to connect the main-CPU1 to the host computer via the direct interface (not shown) andcommunicate.

[0038] Reference numeral 2 denotes a RAM which functions as a mainmemory, a work area, etc. of the main-CPU 1. The RAM 2 is constructed sothat a memory capacity can be expanded by an option RAM which isconnected to an expansion port (not shown).

[0039] Reference numeral 3 denotes an image output buffer which isprepared on the RAM 2. A raster image and attribute bits which areformed by a hard renderer 20, which will be explained hereinlater, arerecorded into the image output buffer 3 as a fallback buffer or anoutput buffer.

[0040] Reference numeral 6 denotes a memory controller (MC) forcontrolling an access to an external memory 7 such as a hard disk or thelike. Reference numeral 20 denotes the hard renderer having a localmemory 21 therein. The hard renderer 20 interprets a display list (DL)transferred to the local memory 21 or a DL in the RAM 2 as it is andforms the raster image and the corresponding attribute bits of eachpixel of the raster image.

[0041] Each attribute bit which is formed here is constructed by threebit fields of total of four bits comprising: a color bit of one bit; athin line bit of 1 bit; and object type bits of 2 bits.

[0042] The color bit shows whether the corresponding pixel is a pixelconstructing a color object or a pixel constructing a black and whiteobject. When the color bit is equal to “0”, the pixel is a pixelconstructing the color object. When it is equal to “1”, the pixel is apixel constructing the black and white object.

[0043] The thin line bit shows whether the corresponding pixel is apixel constructing a thin line or not. When the thin line bit is equalto “1”, the pixel is a pixel constructing the thin line.

[0044] The object type bits show which type of drawing object thecorresponding pixel constructs. When the object type bits are equal to“01”, the pixel is a pixel constructing a character object. When theyare equal to “10”, the pixel is a pixel constructing a graphics object.When they are equal to “11”, the pixel is a pixel constructing an imageobject. When they are equal to “00”, it means that the pixel does notconstruct any object.

[0045] An irreversible compressing unit 22 executes irreversiblecompression to the raster image and stores the compressed image into theimage output buffer 3 on the RAM 2. The irreversible compressing unitaccording to the embodiment uses JPEG. According to JPEG, by changing aQ table which is used upon compression, a compression ratio of an imageas a compression target. The higher the compression ratio is, the largerthe image deterioration is.

[0046] Although JPEG is used as irreversible compression, naturally, theinvention can be applied to any irreversible compressing method so longas the compression ratio can be changed.

[0047] A reversible compressing unit 23 executes reversible compressionto the attribute bit and stores the compressed image into the imageoutput buffer 3. An image processing unit 24 executes one of an imageprocess for characters, an image process for an image, an image processfor graphics, an image process for a black and white image, and an imageprocess for a thin line or a combination of them to the raster data onthe basis of the attribute bit formed by the hard renderer 20.

[0048] In the printer control system constructed as mentioned above,embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to FIG. 3and flowcharts of FIGS. 4 to 6.

[0049] The LBP 1000 has, for example, six kinds of Q tables which areset into JPEG of the irreversible compressing unit 22 when the rasterimage which is formed upon rendering, which will be explainedhereinlater, is compressed. The Q tables have identifiers 1 to 6. Thoseidentifiers are called Q table IDs for convenience of explanation. EachQ table has been set so that the larger the Q table ID is, the higherthe compression ratio is. Therefore, if the Q table having the larger Qtable ID is used, the image deterioration increases more.

[0050] Although there are six kinds of Q tables here, naturally, thenumber of Q tables is not limited. In the embodiment, compressionresults which are obtained by using the Q tables of the Q table ID1 tothe Q table ID5 show that the image deterioration is inconspicuous at aglance. However, the Q table of the Q table ID6 has been designed sothat compression results of most images can be enclosed in a fallbackbuffer or an image spool area, which will be explained hereinlater, andthe image deterioration which is caused when such a Q table is used isvery large.

[0051] The system of the embodiment has a user interface by which theuser can select whether the output of the image including thecompression image obtained by using the Q table of the Q table ID6 ispermitted or inhibited.

[0052]FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining an example of a compressionimage output selecting display screen of a printer use setting which isdisplayed on a liquid crystal display panel unit of the operation panel1012 shown in FIG. 2.

[0053] In FIG. 3, reference numeral 301 denotes a liquid crystal displaypanel (LCD) unit. The LCD unit 301 is a display screen which isdisplayed onto the LCD 301 provided for the operation panel 1012 whenthe user operates the operation panel 1012. Reference numeral 302denotes a button for outputting and 303 indicates a button fordisplaying an error. The user can select either the button 302 or thebutton 303. Contents selected at present are displayed as a mesh region(in an example of FIG. 3, the button 303 for displaying the error hasbeen selected).

[0054] If the output button 302 is selected, the image including thecompression image using the Q table of the Q table ID6 is outputted.However, if error display button 303 is selected, the image includingthe compression image using the Q table of the Q table ID6 is notprint-outputted but an error log of contents showing that the imageusing the Q table has been formed is displayed.

[0055] When the user selects the output button 302 and clicks an OKbutton 304, “6” is registered into a variable QMAX on the RAM 2. Whenthe user selects the error display button 303 and clicks an OK button304, “5” is registered into the variable QMAX.

[0056] When a cancel button 305 is selected, even if the output button302 or the error display button 303 is selected and the previouscontents are changed, the changed contents are not reflected to thevariable QMAX.

[0057] The user interface (setting display screen) has been describedabove as an example. The user can make similar setting also from aprinter driver program or a remote user interface program which isexecuted on the host computer. In this case, permission or inhibition ofthe print output of the compression image using the Q table ID6 isnotified via the external network 3000 and the QMAX contents areupdated.

[0058]FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of a first dataprocessing procedure in the printing apparatus according to theinvention. This flowchart corresponds to a PDL job print processingprocedure which is processed by the main-CPU 1 upon reception of a PDLjob on the basis of the print control program which is stored in the ROM4. S400 to S414 denote processing steps, respectively.

[0059] When the LBP 1000 receives the PDL job from the external network3000 (S401), step S402 follows and a variable current QID showing a Qtable ID which is being set at present is set to “1”. Step S403 follows.

[0060] In step S403, the display list DL is generated (formed) on theRAM 2 while executing an analyzing process of the PDL data in themain-CPU 1. Step S404 follows. When the DL is formed in step S403,ordinarily, the DL of one page is formed. However, a size of localmemory and a size of work table of the hard renderer 20 are checked allthe time. If a size of DL which is being formed exceeds the size oflocal memory or if the size of work table which is used upon renderingof the DL which is being formed exceeds the size of table provided forthe hard renderer 20, a fallback is caused and a fallback flag is set.At this point of time, the processing routine advances to step S404.

[0061] In step S404, the fallback flag is checked, therebydiscriminating the presence or absence of the fallback. If it isdetermined that the fallback has been caused, step S405 follows.

[0062] In step S405, the image output buffer in which the compressionimage obtained after the rendering is stored is set to a fallback bufferand the processing routine advances to a rendering process in step S406.

[0063] In step S406, the DL generated in step S403 is rendered by usingthe hard renderer 20, a raster image is formed, and thereafter, acompression image is formed. Details of such a process will be explainedhereinlater.

[0064] After the rendering process in step S406, step S407 follows. Thecompression image stored in the fallback buffer in step S406 isregistered as a background image into the DL. The processing routine isreturned to step S403 and the analysis of the PDL data and thegeneration of the DL are continued.

[0065] If it is determined in step S404 that the fallback is not caused,step S408 follows. The image output buffer in which the compressionimage obtained after the rendering is stored is set to an image spool inwhich an image for printing is stored. The processing routine advancesto a rendering process in step S409.

[0066] The rendering process in step S409 is substantially the same asstep S406 except that the compression image obtained after the renderingis stored into the image spool. After completion of the renderingprocess in step S409, step S410 follows. A variable compression errorflag which is set during the rendering process in step S406 or S409 ischecked, thereby discriminating the presence or absence of a compressionerror. If it is determined that the compression error exists, it isdecided that image deterioration of a degree which is equal to or largerthan that previously set by the user as allowance has been caused duringthe rendering, the printing process of the PDL job is interrupted there,and the processing routine is finished (S414).

[0067] If it is decided in step S410 that there is no compression error,step S411 follows. The compression image stored in the image spool instep S409 and the compressed attribute bit are transferred to the imageprocessing unit 24 and a proper image process is executed in accordancewith the attribute bit while decompressing the compression image intothe raster image. Step S412 follows.

[0068] In step S412, the raster image which was image-processed in stepS411 is transferred to the printing unit 9 and printed onto the paper.Step S413 follows. Whether the processes of all pages of the PDL jobreceived in step S401 have been finished or not is discriminated. If theprocesses of all pages have been finished, the printing process of thePDL job is finished (S414). If it is determined that the PDL data to beprocessed still remains, the processing routine is returned to stepS402. The current QID is initialized to “1”. After that, the analysis ofthe PDL data and the DL generating process (DL forming process) arecontinued.

[0069]FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of a second dataprocessing procedure in the printing apparatus according to theinvention. This flowchart corresponds to a detailed procedure which isexecuted until the DL is rendered in steps S406 and S409 shown in FIG. 4and the formed raster image is compressed and stored into the outputbuffer set in just previous step. S500 to S511 denote processing steps,respectively.

[0070] When step S406 or S409 shown in FIG. 4 mentioned above isexecuted, the processing routine is started (S500). The DL formed in theRAM 2 in step S402 is transferred to the local memory 21 on the hardrenderer 20 (S501). Step S502 follows. The Q table of the Q table ID setin the variable current QID is set into the irreversible compressingunit 22.

[0071] In step S503, various initializing processes such as setting of aregister of the hard renderer 20 and the like are executed, thereafter,a signal to start the rendering is sent, and the rendering of the DL onthe local memory 21 is started.

[0072] In step S504, the hard renderer 20 forms a raster image of 64scan lines and an attribute bit corresponding to the raster image intothe buffer on the local memory while analyzing the DL on the localmemory 21.

[0073] Although the raster image of 64 scan lines is been formed here,the number of scan lines is shown as an example and, naturally, it canbe set to another number.

[0074] Subsequently, in step S505, the raster image formed in step S504is transferred to the irreversible compressing unit 22, the JPEGcompression is executed by the Q table set in step S502, and the formedcompression image is stored into the image output buffer set in stepS405 or S408.

[0075] Further, in step S505, the attribute bit formed in step S504 istransferred to the reversible compressing unit 23, the reversiblecompression is executed, and thereafter, the compressed attribute bit isstored into the image output buffer.

[0076] When the compression image and the compressed attribute bit arestored into the image output buffer in step S505, whether they can bestored into the image output buffer or not is always checked. Therefore,whether they could be enclosed into the image output buffer or not isdiscriminated in step S506. If it is determined that they could beenclosed into the image output buffer, step S507 follows. Further, bychecking the number of rendered scan lines, whether the rendering of onepage has been finished or not is discriminated. If it is determined thatthe rendering of one page has been finished, the rendering process isfinished (S508). If it is determined that the rendering of one page isnot finished, the processing routine is returned to step S504 and theresidual rendering is continued.

[0077] If it is determined in step S506 that the compression image orthe compressed attribute bit cannot be enclosed into the image outputbuffer, step S509 follows. The value of the variable current QID isincremented.

[0078] In step S510, the variable current QID and the variable QMAX setby the user setting are compared, thereby discriminating whether thevalue of the variable current QID is equal to or less than the value ofthe variable QMAX or not. If it is decided that the value of thevariable current QID is equal to or less than the value of the variableQMAX, the processing routine is returned to step S502. The Q table ofthe Q table ID set in the variable current QID is reset to theirreversible compressing unit 22 and the rendering is restarted.

[0079] If it is decided in step S510 that the value of the variablecurrent QID is larger than the value of the variable QMAX, theprocessing routine advances to step S511. A variable compression errorflag is set. After that, the processing routine is returned to stepS502.

[0080] According to the first embodiment as mentioned above, since thepages subsequent to the page including the image containing thecompression image compressed by the Q table of the Q table ID which islarger than QMAX set by the designation of the user are not outputtedand an error is outputted instead, the image of large imagedeterioration which is not desired by the user is not outputted.

Second Embodiment

[0081] In the first embodiment, if it is determined in step S410 shownin FIG. 4 that the compression error has occurred, step S414 follows andthe process of the PDL is interrupted and the processing routine isfinished. However, naturally, a similar effect can be obtained byclearing the compression error flag and advancing the processing routineto step S413.

[0082] According to the second embodiment, only the page including theimage containing the compression image compressed by the Q table of theQ table ID larger than QMAX which is set by the designation of the userin the PDL job is not outputted.

Third Embodiment

[0083]FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of a second dataprocessing procedure in the printing apparatus according to theinvention. This flowchart corresponds to a print processing procedure ofthe PDL job upon reception of the PDL job of the LBP 1000. The sameprocessing steps in FIG. 4 are designated by the same step numbers. S610to S616 denote processing steps, respectively. Further, since processesin steps S400 to S409 shown in FIG. 6 are similar to those in the firstembodiment except that after completion of step S409, the processingroutine advances to step S610, their description is omitted here.

[0084] In step S610, the compression image stored in the image spool andthe compressed attribute bit are stored into the hard disk. In stepS611, the compression error flag is checked, thereby discriminatingwhether the compression error has been caused or not. If it is decidedthat no compression error is caused, whether the processes of all pagesof the PDL job received in step S402 have been finished or not isdiscriminated in step S612. If it is decided that the processes of allpages have been finished, step S613 follows. If the PDL data to beprocessed still remains, the processing routine is returned to stepS403. The analysis of the PDL data and the DL generating process arecontinued.

[0085] In step S613, the compression image and the compressed attributebit are read out page by page from the hard disk and transferred to theimage processing unit 24 and a proper image process is executed whiledecompressing the compression image into the raster image in accordancewith the attribute bit.

[0086] In step S614, the raster image which was image-processed in stepS613 is transferred to the printing unit 9 and printed onto the paper.

[0087] Subsequently, in step S615, whether the compression images of allpages stored in the hard disk have been printed or not is discriminated.If it is determined that the printing of all pages is not finished yet,the processing routine is returned to step S613 and the image processand printing process of the next page are continued.

[0088] If it is determined in step S615 that the printing process of allpages have been finished, the printing process of the PDL job isfinished (S616).

[0089] If it is determined in step S611 that the compression error hasbeen caused, step S617 follows. All compression images and compressedattribute bits stored in the hard disk in step s610 are deleted and theprinting process of the PDL job is finished (S616).

[0090] According to the third embodiment as mentioned above, since thePDL job including the image containing the compression image compressedby the Q table of the Q table ID larger than QMAX which is set by thedesignation of the user is not outputted but an error is outputted, theimage of large image deterioration which is not desired by the user isnot outputted.

Fourth Embodiment

[0091]FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a compression imageoutput selecting display screen in a printer use setting in a printingapparatus showing the fourth embodiment of the invention. Although thedisplay screen 301 shown in FIG. 3 is displayed on the operation unit1012 in the first to third embodiments, according to the fourthembodiment, in place of it, a display screen 701 shown in FIG. 7 isdisplayed on the operation unit 1012 and the user selects step by stepthe degree of the image deterioration of the image which isprint-outputted by operating the operation panel 1012 on the displayscreen.

[0092] Reference numeral 703 denotes a slider. The user can freely movethe slider 703 in a slider operating area 702 by operating the operationpanel 1012. A value which is registered into the variable QMAX isselected on the basis of a position of the slider 703 in the slideroperating area 702.

[0093] When a center position of the slider 703 lies within a range 704,“1” is registered into the variable QMAX by clicking an OK button 711.When the center position of the slider 703 lies within a range 705, “2”is registered into the variable QMAX by clicking the OK button 711. Whenthe center position of the slider 703 lies within a range 706, “3” isregistered into the variable QMAX by clicking the OK button 711. Whenthe center position of the slider 703 lies within a range 707, “4” isregistered into the variable QMAX by clicking the OK button 711. Whenthe center position of the slider 703 lies within a range 708, “5” isregistered into the variable QMAX by clicking the OK button 711. Whenthe center position of the slider 703 lies within a range 709, “6” isregistered into the variable QMAX by clicking the OK button 711.Reference numeral 710 denotes a cancel button.

[0094] According to the fourth embodiment as mentioned above, the usercan select an arbitrary degree of the image deterioration of the imagewhich is not outputted and the usability can be improved more.

[0095] A construction of data processing programs which can be read outby the printing apparatus according to the invention will be describedwith reference to a memory map shown in FIG. 8.

[0096]FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining the memory map of a storingmedium for storing various data processing programs which can be readout by the printing apparatus according to the invention.

[0097] Although not shown in particular, information to manage a programgroup which is stored in the storing medium, for example, versioninformation, an implementor, and the like are also stored. There is alsoa case where information depending on an OS or the like on the programreading side, for example, icons to identify and display the program orthe like are stored.

[0098] Further, the data which depends on the various programs is alsomanaged on the directory. There is also a case where a program forinstalling various programs into a computer and, if the installingprogram has been compressed, a program for decompressing it or the likeare also stored.

[0099] The functions shown in FIGS. 4 to 6 in the embodiment can be alsoexecuted by the host computer in accordance with a program which isinstalled from an outside. In this case, the invention is applied to acase where an information group including the program is supplied to anoutput apparatus from a storing medium such as CD-ROM, flash memory, FD,or the like or from an external storing medium via the network.

[0100] As mentioned above, naturally, the object of the invention isaccomplished by a method whereby a storing medium in which program codesof software to realize the functions of the embodiments mentioned abovehave been recorded is supplied to a system or an apparatus and acomputer (or a CPU or an MPU) of the system or apparatus reads out theprogram codes stored in the storing medium and executes them.

[0101] In this case, the program codes themselves read out from thestoring medium realize the novel functions of the invention and thestoring medium in which the program codes have been stored constructsthe invention.

[0102] As a storing medium for supplying the program codes, for example,a flexible disk, a hard disk, an optical disk, a magnetooptic disk, aCD-ROM, a CD-R, a magnetic tape, a non-volatile memory card, a ROM, anEEPROM, or the like can be used.

[0103] Naturally, the invention incorporates not only a case where acomputer executes the read-out program codes, so that the functions ofthe embodiments mentioned above are realized but also a case where an OS(Operating System) or the like which is operating on the computerexecutes a part or all of actual processes on the basis of instructionsof the program codes and the functions of the embodiments mentionedabove are realized by those processes.

[0104] Further, naturally, the invention also incorporates a case wherethe program codes read out from the storing medium are written into amemory provided for a function expanding board inserted into a computeror a function expanding unit connected to a computer and, thereafter, aCPU or the like provided for the function expanding board or thefunction expanding unit executes a part or all of actual processes onthe basis of instructions of the program codes and the functions of theembodiments mentioned above are realized by those processes.

[0105] The invention is not limited to the foregoing embodiments butmany variations and modifications (containing an organic combination ofthe embodiments) are possible on the basis of the spirit of theinvention and they are not excluded from the purview of the invention.

[0106] Although various examples and embodiments of the invention havebeen shown and described above, it would obviously been understood by aperson with ordinary skill in the art but the following embodiments areincorporated. The embodiments 1 to 11 will now be described hereinbelow.

Embodiment 1

[0107] A printing apparatus for compressing raster image informationwhich is formed in accordance with print information which is inputtedand holding it into an image output buffer on an internal memory,comprising: image deterioration threshold value designating means fordesignating a threshold value for discriminating a deterioration stateof the raster image information upon compression (for example, it isdesignated by a compression image output selecting display screen shownin FIG. 3); and image deterioration discriminating means (for example,step S510 in FIG. 5) for discriminating whether the image deteriorationstate of the compressed raster image information exceeds the thresholdvalue designated by the image deterioration threshold value designatingmeans or not.

Embodiment 2

[0108] A printing apparatus according to Embodiment 1, furthercomprising means (step S410 shown in FIG. 4) for not outputting a pagecontaining the compression image of the raster image which is formed inthe printing apparatus if the image deterioration discriminating meansdetermines that the image deterioration state exceeds the imagedeterioration designated by the image deterioration threshold valuedesignating means.

Embodiment 3

[0109] A printing apparatus according to Embodiment 1, furthercomprising means (step S410 shown in FIG. 4) for not outputting a printjob including a page containing the compression image of the rasterimage which is formed in the printing apparatus if the imagedeterioration discriminating means determines that the imagedeterioration state exceeds the image deterioration designated by theimage deterioration threshold value designating means.

Embodiment 4

[0110] A printing apparatus according to any one of Embodiments 1 to 3,wherein the image deterioration threshold value designating means canvariably designate a level of the threshold value for discriminating thedeterioration state of the raster image information upon compression(for example, it is designated by the compression image output selectingdisplay screen shown in FIG. 7).

Embodiment 5

[0111] A printing apparatus for compressing raster image informationwhich is formed in accordance with print information which is inputtedfrom an information processing apparatus and holding it into an internalmemory, comprising: receiving means for receiving a threshold value fordiscriminating a deterioration state of the raster image informationupon compression from the information processing apparatus; and imagedeterioration discriminating means (for example, step S510 in FIG. 5)for discriminating whether the image deterioration state of thecompressed raster image information exceeds the threshold value receivedby the receiving means or not.

Embodiment 6

[0112] An information processing apparatus which can communicate with aprinting apparatus via a printer driver, wherein the printing apparatushas designating means for designating a threshold value fordiscriminating a deterioration state of image information uponcompression of raster image information which is formed in accordancewith print information.

Embodiment 7

[0113] A control method of a printing apparatus for compressing rasterimage information which is formed in accordance with print informationwhich is inputted and holding it into an internal memory, comprising: animage deterioration threshold value designating step of designating athreshold value for discriminating a deterioration state of the rasterimage information upon compression; and an image deteriorationdiscriminating step (for example, step S510 in FIG. 5) of discriminatingwhether the image deterioration state of the compressed raster imageinformation exceeds the threshold value designated by the imagedeterioration threshold value designating step or not.

Embodiment 8

[0114] A control method of the printing apparatus according toEmbodiment 7, further comprising a control step (for example, step S410shown in FIG. 4) of not outputting a page containing the compressionimage of the raster image which is formed in the printing apparatus ifthe image deterioration discriminating step determines that the imagedeterioration state exceeds the image deterioration designated by theimage deterioration threshold value designating step.

Embodiment 9

[0115] A control method of the printing apparatus according toEmbodiment 7, further comprising a control step (for example, step S410shown in FIG. 4) of not outputting a print job including a pagecontaining the compression image of the raster image which is formed inthe printing apparatus if the image deterioration discriminating stepdetermines that the image deterioration state exceeds the imagedeterioration designated by the image deterioration threshold valuedesignating step.

Embodiment 10

[0116] A computer-readable storing medium which stores a program forrealizing a control method of the printing apparatus according to anyone of Embodiments 7 to 9.

Embodiment 11

[0117] A program for realizing a control method of the printingapparatus according to any one of Embodiments 7 to 9.

[0118] As described above, according to the Embodiments of theinvention, in the printing apparatus for compressing the raster imageinformation which is formed in accordance with the print informationwhich is inputted and holding it into the internal memory, the thresholdvalue for discriminating the deterioration state of the raster imageinformation upon compression is designated and whether the imagedeterioration state of the compressed raster image information exceedsthe designated threshold value or not is discriminated, thereby enablingthe user to select whether the print output including the compressionimage of the large image deterioration as mentioned above is printed ornot, so that an effect such that the print output which is not desiredby the user is not outputted and the usability can be improved can beobtained.

What is claimed is:
 1. A printing apparatus comprising: a setting unitfor setting whether printing is executed in excess of a specificdeterioration degree or not; and a printing unit for executing theprinting on the basis of print information in accordance with thesetting by the setting unit when an image is deteriorated and printed onthe basis of the print information.
 2. An apparatus according to claim1, wherein when the image is deteriorated and printed on the basis ofthe print information, if a mode in which the printing is not executedin excess of the specific deterioration degree has been set by thesetting unit, said printing unit deteriorates the image and executes theprinting on the basis of the print information, and when the image isdeteriorated and printed on the basis of the print information, if amode in which the printing is executed in excess of the specificdeterioration degree has been set by the setting unit, said printingunit deteriorates the image and executes the printing on the basis ofthe print information.
 3. An apparatus according to claim 1, whereinsaid setting unit includes an operation panel.
 4. An apparatus accordingto claim 1, wherein said deterioration includes deterioration due toimage compression.
 5. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein saidsetting unit includes a unit for setting a degree of the deterioration.6. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the image isdeteriorated and printed on the basis of the print information, whethera mode in which the printing is not executed in excess of the specificdeterioration degree has been set by the setting unit or not isdiscriminated every page, if it is determined that the mode in which theprinting is not executed in excess of the specific deterioration degreehas been set by the setting unit, said printing unit deteriorates theimage and executes the printing on the basis of the print information,and when the image is deteriorated and printed on the basis of the printinformation, if it is determined that a mode in which the printing isexecuted in excess of the specific deterioration degree has been set bythe setting unit, said printing unit deteriorates the image and executesthe printing on the basis of the print information.
 7. A print controlmethod comprising: a setting step of setting whether printing isexecuted in excess of a specific deterioration degree or not; and aprinting step of executing the printing on the basis of printinformation in accordance with the setting by the setting step when animage is deteriorated and printed on the basis of the print information.8. A method according to claim 7, wherein when the image is deterioratedand printed on the basis of the print information, if a mode in whichthe printing is not executed in excess of the specific deteriorationdegree has been set by the setting step, said printing step deterioratesthe image and executes the printing on the basis of the printinformation, and when the image is deteriorated and printed on the basisof the print information, if a mode in which the printing is executed inexcess of the specific deterioration degree has been set by the settingstep, said printing step deteriorates the image and executes theprinting on the basis of the print information.
 9. A method according toclaim 7, wherein said setting step is set by an operation panel.
 10. Amethod according to claim 7, wherein said deterioration includesdeterioration due to image compression.
 11. A method according to claim7, wherein said setting step includes a step of setting a degree of thedeterioration.
 12. A method according to claim 7, wherein when the imageis deteriorated and printed on the basis of the print information,whether a mode in which the printing is not executed in excess of thespecific deterioration degree has been set by the setting step or not isdiscriminated every page, if it is determined that the mode in which theprinting is not executed in excess of the specific deterioration degreehas been set by the setting step, said printing step deteriorates theimage and executes the printing on the basis of the print information,and when the image is deteriorated and printed on the basis of the printinformation, if a mode in which the printing is executed in excess ofthe specific deterioration degree has been set by the setting step, saidprinting step deteriorates the image and executes the printing on thebasis of the print information.
 13. A program product comprising: asetting step of setting whether printing is executed in excess of aspecific deterioration degree or not; and a printing step of executingthe printing on the basis of print information in accordance with thesetting by the setting step when an image is deteriorated and printed onthe basis of the print information.
 14. A product according to claim 13,wherein when the image is deteriorated and printed on the basis of theprint information, if a mode in which the printing is not executed inexcess of the specific deterioration degree has been set by the settingstep, said printing step deteriorates the image and executes theprinting on the basis of the print information, and when the image isdeteriorated and printed on the basis of the print information, if amode in which the printing is executed in excess of the specificdeterioration degree has been set by the setting step, said printingstep deteriorates the image and executes the printing on the basis ofthe print information.
 15. A product according to claim 13, wherein saidsetting step is set by an operation panel.
 16. A product according toclaim 13, wherein said deterioration includes deterioration due to imagecompression.
 17. A product according to claim 13, wherein said settingstep includes a step of setting a degree of the deterioration.
 18. Aproduct according to claim 13, wherein when the image is deterioratedand printed on the basis of the print information, whether a mode inwhich the printing is not executed in excess of the specificdeterioration degree has been set by the setting step or not isdiscriminated every page, if it is determined that the mode in which theprinting is not executed in excess of the specific deterioration degreehas been set by the setting step, said printing step deteriorates theimage and executes the printing on the basis of the print information,and when the image is deteriorated and printed on the basis of the printinformation, if it is determined that a mode in which the printing isexecuted in excess of the specific deterioration degree has been set bythe setting step, said printing step deteriorates the image and executesthe printing on the basis of the print information.